The proverbial rainiest month of the year is upon us, and soon we’ll be bustling about among the flowers those April showers deliver. It’s also a month bursting at the seams with festive food holidays. One for every day of the month, in fact! So, if the rain starts to get to your kids, fire up the stove, or hit a local restaurant for a taste of this month’s celebrated dishes. We’ve picked a few to share with you, and the verdict on whether they’re good or bad for your kids’ chompers. Have a look-see!
Aprl 2nd is National Peanut Butter And Jelly Day: Protein in peanut butter is good for teeth and bones, and the fiber, minerals and antioxidants found in both peanut butter and jelly are good for our whole body. High sugar values can negate the health benefits, though, so even though it’s easy to prepare, PB&J really shouldn’t be in the lunchbox every single day. Verdict? Eat in moderation.
April 4th is National Cordon Bleu Day: If you’re a parent of adventurous eaters switch up the mac’n’cheese routine and offer Cordon Bleu this month! Both meat and cheese help to remineralize teeth, and cheese is also supplies calcium to teeth. Verdict? Good for teeth! (But watch those calories.)
April 6th is National Caramel Popcorn Day: Sure, kids love caramel popcorn, and while it is true research suggests it doesn’t stick to teeth as much as one might think, with all that sugar, it’ll hardly get a “pass.” Verdict? Not good for the chompers.
April 12th is National Licorice Day: The jury is still out on this one, but it does seem as though natural licorice root does possess antibacterial properties helpful in fighting tooth decay. Just stay away from those twisty “licorice” candies … they’re not of the same ilk. Verdict? Go for it!
April 14th is National Pecan Day: Lots of vitamins and minerals make nuts a solid choice for healthy teeth. Have your kids try them as a stand-alone snack, or in a salad. Verdict? Good for teeth!
April 16th is National Mushroom Day: Mushrooms are good providers of protein for bone health, and some, including shiitake, help to remineralize tooth enamel and keep acidity levels down in the mouth. Verdict? Good for teeth!
April 19th is National Garlic Day: Garlic is a real food powerhouse. Breath issues aside, this antibacterial powerhouse not only keeps a mouth and body in good shape, but adds complexity to just about any meal. If your kids aren’t fans of garlic … test it out on pizza, and in Chinese food to see if they can get used to the flavor. Verdict? Good for teeth!
The 22nd is National Jellybean Day: We know its Easter season, and your kids are going to enjoy their fair share of jellybeans. But are they good for our teeth? Well … let’s see … Verdict? Not good for the chompers. (Seriously?!)
The 30th is National Raisin Day: Surprisingly, the sticky raisin is actually good for teeth. It’s less sticky on teeth than you might think (just like caramel popcorn), and it is also believed to contain oleanolic acid – a great combatant against plaque. Verdict? Good for your teeth!
Dessert!
Rounding out the month are two non-food related holidays with a focus on the kids in the house: April 17th (Healthy Kids Day), and April 24th (National Take Your Son And Daughter To Work Day) are wonderful days to share your super-good oral care tips with the youngsters of the house. And what better way to show your children some of that after-meal tooth brushing you do at work, right? Enjoy the rain … here’s to May flowers!